Highlights from COMPASS' last 36 years:

1974 - 1979

Established as CAP Special Education. Programs included special education, outreach and tracking, and foster care. Name changed to Boston Basics in 1977 to reflect broader mission. New programs included an intensive remedial education program for CHINS students referred by the Boston Juvenile Court.

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1980 - 1984

Basics included four storefront schools and counseling centers located in South Boston, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Charlestown. Named one of 45 organizations nationwide honored by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency for "richness and diversity of approaches being used to avoid unnecessary incarceration of young people."

Began ongoing relationship with Boston College PULSE Program as a placement site for BC students. Reorganized as COMPASS. Students received special recognition for class work entries from Roxbury District Court as part of its Law Day competition.

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1985 - 1989

Selected by the Boston Public Schools to serve as the emergency referral site for severely emotionally disturbed and learning disabled secondary students. Secured a long term lease on the former Blessed Sacrament School in Jamaica Plain. Selected by residents of Harbor Point to operate an after school program on site. Established the COMPASS Violence Prevention Program.

Established intensive therapeutic tracking program for Department of Social Services. Began relationship with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps as site for full-time interns. Designed and implemented emergency special education program for Springfield, MA Public Schools. Featured in WBZ-TV's public service "Time to Care" Campaign.

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1990 - 1994

Cited in editorial by WBZ-TV as one of four outstanding programs for children statewide. Boston Globe article recognized COMPASS' prevention work with high-risk children. Completed first capital campaign that supported major renovations for our Jamaica Plain site. Opened second site in Jamaica Plain for COMPASS Community Services Department.

Recognized by Massachusetts Legislature for "Outstanding Leadership in Violence Prevention." Opened fully equipped restaurant kitchen in vocational education program. Established COMPASS College Scholarship Fund for present and former COMPASS students. Recognized by Massachusetts State Senate for "dedicated service and positive influence to young people." Established our first nationwide program, the Inclusion Support Program, now called COMPASS Consulting Services.

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1995 - 1999

COMPASS launched first version of its Web site. A front-page article in the Boston Herald features a COMPASS student, a former gang member, who secured a scholarship to Boston College. Established internship program for teachers at Wheelock College. COMPASS student wins Boston Herald Scholastic Competition. Joined the Boston NYPUM Collaborative.

Established the COMPASS Intensive Support Program at English High School. COMPASS student wins local poetry contest and reads his poem to Poet Laureate Maya Angelou in Roxbury. Mayor Thomas M. Menino proclaimed May 29, 1998 as COMPASS Violence Prevention Day in the City of Boston. Received the Peer Leadership Recognition Award from the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers.

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2000 - 2004

John Lydon becomes Executive Director when longtime Director Dave Manzo moves on. Mr. Manzo remains involved with COMPASS as a member of its Board of Directors. Yvonne Vest, former principal at COMPASS, also joins the Board. COMPASS invited to participate in the Rodman Ride for Kids, an umbrella matching gift charity that raises funds for children related agencies in Massachusetts. Opening of COMPASS Café, under the direction of Chris DeRocher, provides the public with an opportunity to experience first hand the skills and accomplishments of the students in the Culinary Arts vocational program.

Holden School given a clear title to their building by the City of Boston in recognition of over 20 years of good stewardship under a conditional deed. Janice Brenner awarded Women Mean Business Award by Gov. Jane Swift in recognition of 26 years of "service as an educator and innovator."

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2005 - 2009

COMPASS' website relaunches. COMPASS Consulting is hired by Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., to manage the Jordan Fundamentals Grant Program. A successful merger takes place with The Holden School, a Charlestown school with a similar vision and mission. Former Holden School Advisory Board members Mike Byrnes and Jim Tierney join the COMPASS Board of Directors. COMPASS' Administration and Community Services Program Staff move to their new headquarters at 329 Centre St. in Jamaica Plain. COMPASS is selected for participation in the Board Fellows program of the Harvard Business School (HBS), which matches Harvard MBA candidates with the boards of directors of nonprofit organizations for eight month engagements.

Middle School Academy After School Action Program (A.S.A.P.) is launched, which provides remediation and academic and enrichment services for low-income students aged 12-15. COMPASS receives Clowes Fund Award which provides stipends for job apprenticeship programs for students at our Jamaica Plain and Charlestown schools. COMPASS Consulting administers over $1 million in Jordan Fundamentals grants. Peg Savage retires after 24 years of service as Business Manager.

Responding to economic challenges, COMPASS consolidates its 2 school service sites, offices for the Comprehensive Support & Stabilization Program, and administrative offices. This involved moving from 2 sites in Jamaica Plain and one site in Charlestown to Bowdoin Street in Dorchester, at the site of the former St. Peter's School.

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Looking Back...

COMPASS' impact as an invaluable training ground for public service is seen, leaving an indelible mark on the courts (Probation Officers, Attorneys), and on the Police Force, with the faces and experiences of many COMPASS staff "graduates" in evidence.

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1974 - 1979 1980 - 1984 1985 - 1989 1990 - 1994 1995 - 1999 2000 - 2004 2005 - 2009 Looking Back